And you didn't answer my response: name some genuinely good accomplishments.

The Bush administration: i think we can agree that nothing good has come out of this group.

House Democrats: name something that justifies a higher rating than zero (or one if you so choose).
House Republicans: name something that justifies a higher rating than zero (or one if you so choose).
Senate Democrats: name something that justifies a higher rating than zero (or one if you so choose).
Senate Republicans: name something that justifies a higher rating than zero (or one if you so choose).

The Progressive Blogosphere: I gave us a seven. We get points off for being fooled by people like carney, McInerny, etc. otherwise we're pretty darn good.  so far as I've seen the one good thing the dems did, stopping FISA, was undone by the Dems. And then the nominee lied about filibustering it.

if "4 Lethal Cynicisms" was meant for me, I have some words in my defense.
I don't subscribe to cynicism #1: I don't think "the people are too stupid, too susceptible, and too selfish to be counted upon to do the right thing". In fact, if anything I get my balls busted for believing TOO MUCH in ordinary people.  It's our reps who think "the people are too stupid, too susceptible, and too selfish to be counted upon to do the right thing", and as a result I have no faith in the majority of them. None.

I also don't subscribe to cynicism #2. see above.

Same with #3: the reason I supported Hope-a-Dope to begin with was that I convinced myself he'd exercise power benevolently.  Then we got FISA.  As the song says, "Tell me my lying eyes are wrong."

Since I have not lost faith in either the people or the concept that power can be exercised benevolently, I don't subscribe to the 4th cynicism.

What I believe is that the specific people we have in congress and the senate subscribe to 1 and 2, and as i result I have lost faith in those specific people.  And I have every right to have lost faith in them: 2 years worth of reasons beginning with "impeachment is off the table" and ending with "the fourth amendment".

John Mccain Called his wife WHAT??